NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Mark Emkes will retire as chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Americas (BSAM) as of Feb. 28, after more than 33 years of service with the Bridgestone family of companies. He will also retire from his position as a member of the boards of directors of BSAM and Bridgestone Corp., BSAM’s parent company.

With Emkes’ retirement from BSAM, the company will separate the offices of chairman of the board and CEO in order to further enhance the company’s corporate governance structure and more clearly differentiate the responsibilities and accountabilities of BSAM’s senior management offices, the company said.

Effective March 1, the company has named Asahiko “Duke” Nishiyama as chairman and Gary Garfield as CEO and president. Reporting to Garfield will be Eduardo Minardi, who will be named BSAM’s COO, and Ken Weaver, the current chairman, CEO and president of BSAM’s subsidiary, Firestone Diversified Products LLC.

Reporting to Minardi will be Larry Magee, chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Retail Operations LLC. Minardi will also assume the offices of chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, the business unit which consists of BSAM’s Latin American tire operations and the U.S. and Canadian consumer and commercial tire businesses.

“We are grateful to Mark for his many years of leadership and the energy and passion with which he has served the Bridgestone family of companies," said Shoshi Arakawa, chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Corp. "We wish him all the best in his retirement."

Emkes announced his retirement in an open letter to Bridgestone Americas teammates released last week. “Words can’t express the gratitude I have towards this company and to all of you who have helped make it the best place to spend the last 33 years. You will never be able to imagine the respect I have for our Bridgestone Americas teammates and the company they represent. You have been tremendously successful — even in the face of the most dire economic climate since the Great Depression — and I thank you for allowing me to be a part of your success.”

Separately, Emkes remarked, “I’m excited about the leadership the new management team will bring Bridgestone Americas. While each is a veteran of the Bridgestone Americas family, they have many innovative ideas that will serve the company well into the future.” (Tire Review)